Too often a diagnosis of ADD is made without taking the time or putting in the energy to gather all the necessary information to make an accurate diagnosis. The best interventions for correcting someone’s symptoms and/or inappropriate behaviors will be very different depending on the diagnosis. Often other disorders and problems can mimic the symptoms of ADD. For example, a stressed out, depressed, or anxious child can become inattentive and distracted at home and at school. To make matters even more complicated, approximately 80% of individuals diagnosed with ADD also have other coexisting psychiatric disorders that require professional attention and unique solutions.
Frequently ADD leads to problems with peer relationships, parent-child relationships, marital relationships, and academic and/or work under-performance. A comprehensive evaluation & ADD Test will answer why an individual is struggling in these areas. A correct conceptualization of the underlying causes of a problem is the crucial first step to finding the right solutions. A good comprehensive evaluation & ADD Test will also identify a person’s strengths. Ultimately, success depends on discovering ways to work around and compensate for areas of relative weakness in an individual and utilize and capitalize on his/her strengths.
An ADD Test includes behavioral questionnaires, IQ tests, personality tests, tests of cognitive abilities (attention, memory, language ability, spatial ability, reasoning, executive functioning, etc.), and academic testing. Based on this evaluation, a clearer picture will emerge and an individualized treatment plan can be developed.
Reasons to administer an ADD Test include:
• Obtain an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis
• Develop a clear conceptualization of an individual’s behavioral or academic problems
• Recommend behavioral and academic interventions and accommodations
• Evaluate for specific learning problems and clarify cognitive strengths and weaknesses to guide educational and behavioral interventions
Associated Disorders which can cause similar symptoms as ADD:
The following is a list of possible psychiatric disorders that could coexist with ADD or could be responsible for the symptoms also frequently associated with ADD:
➡ Oppositional Defiant Disorder
➡ Conduct Disorder
➡ Learning Disability
➡ Anxiety Disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic
Stress Disorder, etc.)
➡ Depressive Disorder
➡ Bipolar Disorder
➡ Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Autism, Asperger
Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS)
Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADD. We have ADD Testing, treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.